The grant of R350, administered by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), will also be extended to unemployed caregivers who currently receive child support grants.

Everyone has to reapply. “All applications will be treated as new applications, even those who were receiving the grant before, because maybe some people may have gone and found employment since receiving the grant.”   

Applications for the R350 SASSA Social relief of distress grants are now open.

Applicants must be:
– Above the age of 18;
– Unemployed;
– Not receiving any income;
– Not receiving any social grant;
– Not receiving any unemployment insurance benefit and does not qualify to receive unemployment insurance benefits;
– Not receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme; and
– Not resident in a government funded or subsidised institution.

• The grant now also includes caregivers and asylum seekers who have proper documentation. Asylum seekers must have a section 22 permit or visas that are valid or were valid on 15 March 2020. 
• Everyone eligible — from 18 years to 59 years — must apply for this grant even if their application was successful last time. 
• Send your application through the website, at https://srd.sassa.gov.za, on the WhatsApp line on 082 046 8553, or send an SMS to *134*7737#. An application should be submitted through only one of the above channels.
• In the WhatsApp message, include your name, surname and ID number. You will then receive a message stating the next steps. 
• When the application has been approved, you will receive a message requesting your banking details. However, Zulu said it is important for applicants to note that the bank account or the cellphone number provided for payment must be registered in the name of the approved applicant for the grant to ensure that payment goes to the correct recipient.
• The grant will be paid into the bank account of the beneficiary. For people who do not have bank accounts, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will pay through the South African Post Office (Sapo)/Post Bank, or using a bank mobile money transfers (cash send).
• Any applicant whose application is approved but not paid because they could not be traced shall forfeit the money to the state after 31 August 2025/2026. They cannot lodge a claim against the state. 
• For grant inquiries, you can call the Sassa toll-free line on 0800 60 10 11.

NEW – SASSA has expanded Eligibility

The number of people eligible has been increased because individual caregivers who receive a Child Support Grant will now be able to access this R350 grant as well.

Previously woman who were raising children alone were unfairly disadvantaged. As they received a child support grant for their children they could not receive the R350 grant – even though the child support grant is for the children’s needs, not for the caregiver’s needs.

Prospective Applicants will need to provide the following compulsory information for processing of their applications:

– Identity Number;
– Name and Surname as captured in the ID (and initials);
– Gender and Disability;
– Banking details – Bank Name and Account Number;
– Contact details – Cell phone number;
– Proof of Residential Address;

About applying for social relief of distress

Social relief of distress is temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such a dire material need that they are unable to meet their families’ most basic needs.

This could be due to any of the following factors:

• you need help while you wait for your children’s grants to be processed
• a crisis or disaster has occurred (e.g. your house has burnt down) 
• you do not qualify for a grant, and you are in a desperate situation 
• you are unable to work for a period of less than six month because you are medically unfit 
• you are unable to get maintenance from the other parent of your child or children 
• the breadwinner in the family has died 
• the breadwinner has been sent to prison for a short time (less than six months) 
• you have been affected by a disaster, but the area or community in which you live has not been declared a disaster area.

What do you get?

The Social Relief of Distress may be in the form of a food parcel or a voucher to buy food. Some provinces give this assistance in the form of cash. Social Relief of Distress is given for a short time only – usually for up to three months, which may be extended for another three months.

Who to contact

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)